Special friend inspired student

Program awards scholarship to Clay senior who wrote about her hero.

Program awards scholarship to Clay senior who wrote about her hero.

June 01, 2007

Jennifer Scope was inspired to write about a special friend, Mary Kowalski. For her work, Jennifer, a Clay High School senior this fall, received a $2,000 scholarship from Hoosier Heroes 2007, which is a program of Indiana Dollars for Scholars. She was the only student from the area to win. There are 10 hero categories, such as agriculture, banking and sports. Each writer has to actually know his or her hero. No long-distance hero worship here. Jennifer said her hero is in the public service category and is Mary, who is the executive director of the Family and Children's Center Counseling and Development Services. "I've known her since I was a little girl," Jennifer said. "I'm her daughter's friend. We all listened to her stories about working with children. She was an inspiration to me, a big inspiration." The writing assignment was given by Jennifer's English teacher at Clay, BonitaHoover. "It wasn't a difficult assignment," Jennifer said, because she knew her subject and did a lengthy interview with Mary. Like Mary, Jennifer said she has always liked helping people. Her people skills may lead Jennifer into studying social work after high school. Jennifer is the daughter of Craig and Laura Scope. Laura said her daughter has always been a wonderful, caring student who always does the right thing. Mary received a $2,000 scholarship, which she donated to Washington High School, her alma mater. "Jennifer is an excellent young lady," Mary said. "She has a big heart for the less fortunate. She is confident and outstanding." *** Ashley Elizabeth Goodson, 23, of LaPorte, will be sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer this month. She has been living with a family in Senegal in order to acquire the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community. She will become a preventative health education volunteer. A graduate of LaPorte High School, she attended Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., and earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 2006. *** And let's not forget to tip our cap to Michael Leep Sr., who this spring was honored by the Studebaker National Museum for his accomplishments within the automotive industry and contributions to the community. He was recognized at the sixth annual Hall of Champions Dinner. Leep entered the automotive industry as a salesman in 1967. He bought his first dealership -- a Dodge franchise in Gary -- with his business partner Van Gurley in 1973. The Gurley-Leep Kathy Borlik Namely News Kathy Borlik writes this weekly column about people. Automotive Group has since grown to 20 dealerships representing 27 franchises. Leep also sits on numerous boards of charitable organizations. Also, Cindy and Phil Brown were awarded the Spirit of Studebaker Award, which recognizes an outstanding individual who has contributed time, dedication and resources to the museum and community. *** Speaking of giving ... former South Bend resident Conrad Prebys was honored recently with his own elephant. He doesn't get to take it home, but he can visit it. A 3-month-old African elephant calf at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park was named Impunga, which is the Swati word for "experienced adviser." And that's what the name Conrad means, too. Conrad, 73, donated $10 million to fund a new elephant exhibit and to renovate a polar bear area. "I've always liked animals," he said. He must like them a lot. And while he is on a roll, he donated $6 million to the University of California, San Diego, for a music building. It will be called the Conrad Prebys Music Center. He grew up in South Bend and graduated from Central High and Indiana University in Bloomington. He then moved to San Diego in 1965. He is a developer and philanthropist, and he claims to be the luckiest person around. He must be, because who else has a namesake elephant? If you have news about people or an interesting tidbit, send it to the South Bend Tribune, Kathy Borlik, 225 W. Colfax Ave., South Bend, IN 46626; or e-mail: metrocommunity@sbtinfo.com; or phone (574) 235-6233.